"What?" Adria couldn’t believe her ears. She was completely appalled. Was he being serious or was this just another part of his twisted game?
The maid in charge of cleaning his room stood at a safe corner, head bent down as though she was compelled to; her hands trembling like someone contemplating on whether to stay or run away.
Adria could see her shaking visibly like she was under an interrogation. It was obvious that she doesn’t want to be here. She couldn’t believe that he has ruled these people into total submission.
They don’t even dare to look at him when he speaks or raise their heads when he’s standing in front of them. Just how cruel was he as a person?
"You called me all the way down here just to clean out your room?"
"You still aren’t done with your chores for today," He still didn’t look at her like she was insignificant to even be in his presence. "So do me a favor and clean up this place. You’re the assigned maid to these duties for the day after all."
"Maid?" Adria has never felt so insulted in her entire life.
"You are a maid for today, aren’t you?" He stood up and stalked towards her.
With every step he took forward, she took one step backwards until she hit her back on the nearest wall; his hands on the wall, caging her in.
"You were so loud earlier, too proud talking about respect and how you wouldn’t give it so why should I give it to you? Or did your fire finally burn out?" He asked, staring down at her small mouth that pouted angrily at him.
Just the type of reaction he was hoping for.
"You keep forgetting that you are no longer in your father’s house." He said, his voice dangerously low. "You are in my playground and moving forward, I’m going to remind you of that fact."
"Since my dear wife doesn’t understand the concept of respect, I’ll do my very best to teach it to her." He said, leaning in closer as she tilted her head to meet his piercing gaze.
"You will learn it the hard way just like everyone else. It might be a painful experience for you but trust me, it will be worth it in the end. And don’t think that I will be lenient on you simply because we’re married." He said, not mincing words.
"It won’t be fair to everyone and just as criminals are punished for their wrongdoings, you will also be punished severely for everything you do that I deem to be wrong." He threatened her sternly as he pushed a strand of her hair backwards, his calloused fingers grazing her skin lightly.
"You see," he continued "I don’t tolerate being insulted and just as I don’t tolerate anyone insulting me, I will make sure you suffer the cruel fate of every consequence your insult brings to me."
He straightened himself to full height. "So if I were you, Aria, I’d watch my mouth and tread carefully so that I don’t face the wrath of what my actions might bring in the near future because trust me, you won’t like them."
"I believe that a word is enough for the wise except you’re foolish and want to act otherwise." He said with an air of finality.
Adria wanted nothing more than to cuss at him. She wanted to stick a finger at his face so badly and tell him to go fuck himself but she couldn’t.
He was her husband after all and to make matters worse, he was the Lycan King so it was against the rules.
She just just one woman. One insignificant woman to him and didn’t want a situation where she would provoke him and have him murder her brutally.
With the way he had easily killed off those men before, he could do the same to her and even worse. She had to keep this marriage alliance going for her father and for her people.
And if things should be ruined in any way then it’s better that it happens because of him and not the other way around.
Cullen, realizing that he was too close to her, pushed himself away from her before his animals rushed to the surface. Her blinding scent wasn’t healthy for sanity.
He doesn’t like being this close to a woman that triggers his wolves to a point of madness. The farther away, the better.
"The Luna will clean up my chamber." He announced when she didn’t say anything to counter his words. "So hand over the equipment to her and leave my room."
"My Lady," The maid stretched out her hands to Adria to take the cleaning equipment; her lips mouthing a silent ’sorry’; her eyes pleading but Adria only smiled at her reassuringly.
It wasn’t the poor woman’s fault that she had been put up to this so why would she be angry at her? It was all Cullen’s fault. He was the one doing all this and treating everyone like pawns on a chessboard.
He doesn’t have a heart. He doesn’t have any respect for people’s feelings nor does he sympathize with them. To him, nothing else but ruling over others matters.
She watched him gracefully return to his seat as he continued with his work. She glared at him, hard before dragging herself over to clean up his space like he had requested.
She made sure to dust, scrub the floors and make his bed while he completely ignored her presence in the room.
Her back was already in constant agony from overworking herself earlier and now, it had only gotten worse.
Just how on earth did his late wife put up with him and this disgusting attitude? It’s only been two days and she’s about to lose her mind.
And to think that her wolf picked him out of all men to bond with. She should’ve died at birth if she knew that one day, her life would be like this.
When she was done cleaning, she excused herself from his room and slowly made her way towards hers. Dragging her feet with every step she took.
She found Calla waiting for her as she got closer.
"You’re back."
Adria walked past her and crashed on her bed tiredly. Her legs are too weak to carry her whole body.
"I ran you a warm bath." Calla informed her a while later. "I also mixed some scented flowers and calming leaves to help with the soreness so that you can relax and relieve your stress."
"Thank you." Adria whispered gratefully. If it wasn’t for Calla, she probably wouldn’t know what to do with her life right now.
"Oh, you poor thing." Calla murmured pitifully. "I can’t believe that the King asked you to clean his chambers after all the work you did today. Even slaves are treated properly and you’re his wife."
That’s because he doesn’t consider me his wife. Adria wanted to say but decided against it. After all, she also didn’t consider him her husband.
This was nothing but a marriage of convenience not something born out of love so she doesn’t expect anything more from him. If she was being honest to herself, she also didn’t want anything from him either.
But not to worry, he had made the first move in ruining her life and she definitely will make sure to return the favor when due.